The Historic Village at Allaire - The Enameling Building and Arthur Brisbane Education Center

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Unfortunately, the construction date and early history of the Enameling Building is somewhat vague. However, most records agree that the Enameling Building was one of the early structures at the Howell Works. The northern section of the building is thought to have been built ca. 1828. The southern section of the building, shown to the left, which houses the enameling furnace was built in 1834 according to company records. The addition of the furnace section was done during the most prosperous period of the Howell Works Company when iron production was at its peak and James Allaire began producing hollowware (cookware) at the site.

The Enameling Building's furnace, located in the basement of the southern portion of the structure, was used to bake an enamel finish onto the hollowware, and fired in much the same way the Bakery's ovens were. This was an experimental process engaged in by James Allaire, which required the use of a variety of clays for the firing. The enameling furnace was in operation for about three years form 1834 through 1837 when the process was perfected. Unfortunately, it was also this year that the Howell Works Company entered a period of financial difficulties and decline and the enameling operations were shut down. This is probably due to the fact iron production once again shifted to the casting of ingots for the Allaire Works in New York, as well as for sale on the open market.

After the enameling processes ceased, it is unclear what purpose the building held. By 1850, however it is believed file cutter Samuel Stokes may have resided in the structure with his family. It is known, from records left to us by James Allaire's second wife Calicia and their son Hal that form 1858 to 1901 the structure was used as a residence by a new York attorney.

Today the Enameling building has been specially outfitted with temperature and moisture controls and is used as an exhibit and lecture hall. There is a recommended $1.00 per person donation for exhibits and lectures.